Project Proposal
MacEwan University
January 16, 2014
Angelika Lenik
NURS 479 Tables of Contents

Introduction & Background ………………………………………………………………………………………..….3 Purpose ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…....3 Overview of Clinic …………………………………………………………………………………………..…..3 Situation ………………………………………………………………………………………………………....….3 Inputs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……......4 Assumptions & External Factors ……………………………………………………………………..…...5
Objectives, Activities & Deliverables …………………………………………………………………………..…...5 Overall Objective ……………………………………………………………………………………………..….5 Short Term Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………….…..5 Midterm Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………….…6 Deliverables …………………………………………………………………......................................................6
Outputs ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….…..6 Stakeholders ………………………………………………………………………………………………...…….6 Activities …….…………………………………………………………………………………………….………...7
Evaluation Plan ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……....8
Appendix A: Logic Model ………………..………………………………………………………………….…………...9
Appendix B: References……………………………………………………………………………………………...…10 
Introduction & Background
Purpose:
This purpose of this project is to identify, assess and implement strategies in order to prevent potential workplace hazards from occurring at the North Alberta Pediatric Sleep Clinic situated within the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton, AB by completing a Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control (HIAC) worksheet. The overall project is outlined in a Logic Model (Appendix A).

Overview of Clinic:
The North Alberta Pediatric Sleep Clinic, also referred to as the “Sleep Lab”, is an outpatient clinic which cares for children aged 0-18 with sleep disorders. Examples of sleep disorders the clinic handles are sleep walking, night terrors, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Sleep Lab handles initial assessments of children, performs diagnostic tests such as overnight sleep studies and oximetry testing, and provides treatment in the form of titrating positive airway pressure for breathing problems while sleeping. Following the titration, the client can then go home with a properly fitted and titrated continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine and mask.
Situated within the Stollery Children’s Hospital, the Sleep Lab is operated under Alberta Health Services (AHS) and shares its values and beliefs. The Stollery, which officially opened in 2001, “is committed to meeting the ever-changing needs of children and their families in an environment that integrates excellence in the delivery of care, education, and research” (Western Canadian Children`s Heart Network [WCCHN], 2012, “Background”). Furthermore, the Stollery “is committed to providing children with the best health care available and dedicated to offering a family-centered environment for its patients and their families” (WCHN, 2012, “Background”). The Stollery receives referrals of more than 1.7 million and reaches children from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut (WCHN, 2012, “Background”). The Sleep Lab often sees children from northern rural Alberta and even further north from the territories. Currently, there is about a one to two month wait to get into the Sleep Lab which is by referral only.

Situation
Given that the Sleep Lab assesses sleep disorders, sleep studies occur between 1900-0700 Monday to Fridays. Because of this, Polysomnography Technicians, also referred to as PSG Techs or Sleeps Techs, need to work odd hours and often even alone which can pose several hazards. To address these hazards, all staff employed under AHS must have their worksite assessed for potential hazards and any existing hazards must be identified and then either eliminated or controlled as indicated under Health and Safety Legislation (Alberta Queen’s Printer [AQP], 2013) and AHS’ Workplace Health and Safety Policy #1121 (AHS, 2014). Furthermore, AHS has its own policy re: working alone which applies to the Sleep Lab.
AHS is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment and believes that the health and safety of their workers is fundamental to the provision of safe and quality health services (AHS, 2014). Furthermore, AHS believes that all incidents are preventable (AHS, 2014), hence the necessity and importance of this project. Safety is one of AHS’ key 7 values. The value of safety includes “reinforcing safe behaviours by actively identifying and responding to safety concerns” (AHS, n.d., p. 9) which this project aims to accomplish.
This project is guided by the Workplace Health and Safety Policy #1121, specifically the Hazard Identification, Assessment, and Control (HIAC) Process under policy element 1: Workplace Health and Safety Management System (AHS, 2014).
Representatives from Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) will be coming in to check that there is a HIAC for every position on the clinic. If the clinic does not have its HIAC worksheets completed and accessible to each employee then they are not abiding by provincial rules and regulations and OHS may punish the clinic.
This project will use Lewin’s Unfreezing-Freezing change theory in order to implement the recommendations of the hazard assessment into everyday practice.

Inputs
There are several variables needed in order to complete this project: Time and research required to determine and develop job description summaries (JDS) for staff without existing JDS. This includes shadowing staff and asking for their input. In total, five weeks of time will be invested in this project. Research to determine provincial and organizational regulations and legislations regarding workplace safety Collaboration with all staff within the clinic. Staff must be active participants in developing a workplace hazard assessment as they are the experts in what they do. Their input is of utmost importance. Collaboration with coach who is the key project coordinator to ensure the project remains focused, on track, and up to standards. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards are taken into consideration. A resource binder has been provided by Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) with detailed information on policies, regulations and legislature in place for ensuring hazard free work environment.

Assumptions & External Factors In order to complete this proposed project, several assumptions need to be made and external factors considered.
First, it is assumed that: Appropriate funding is provided by AHS and the project is of no cost to the writer as it falls within the existing budget AHS believes in best-practice recommendations Staff will be open to cooperating with writer to provide information on their job descriptions and potential hazards
Second, potential external factors that may impact this project include: A risk that staff may not disclose all potential hazards they encounter for fear of consequences Limited access to AHS’ internal server, Insite, to writer

Objectives, Activities & Deliverables
Overall Objective
The overall objective of the project is to eliminate the potential for workplace hazards and, therefore, prevent workplace injuries within the Sleep Lab Clinic before accreditation in March 2015.
Short-Term Objective
i. All staff at the Sleep Lab Clinic will demonstrate an awareness of the potential hazards of their workplace and prevention strategies after dissemination of the project by responding to a feedback questionnaire via email by February 2nd, 2015.

ii. All staff at the Sleep Lab Clinic will demonstrate an understanding regarding the potential hazards of their workplace and prevention strategies after dissemination of the project by responding to a feedback questionnaire via email by February 2nd, 2015.
Mid-Term Objectives
i. All staff at the Sleep Lab Clinic will begin implementing recommendations in place to decrease the risk of potential workplace hazards immediately after reviewing the findings from this project.

Deliverables
The first deliverable of this project will be the completed job description summaries (JDS) of each employee at the Sleep Lab outlining the tasks they complete as part of their job. With this, every employee will have a clear understanding of the tasks associated with their position. Using the JDS, the HIAC worksheet will then be completed and will specify all potential risks associated with each task and outline ways to reduce the potential of the hazard occurring. This worksheet will comply with provincial and organizational rules and regulations surrounding safe work environments.
The second deliverable of this project involves the dissemination of findings. Through the completion of this project, the staff at the Sleep Lab will be aware of potential workplace hazards and with this increased awareness and strategies in place to reduce the risk, the Sleep Lab will be a safer work environment.

Outputs
Stakeholders
Stakeholders involved in this project include: All staff in the Sleep Lab as employees of AHS AHS and their values WHS advisor as content expert Andrea, unit manager, as coach and key project coordinator Clients who are indirectly affected

Activities
In order to successfully complete this project, a series of chronological activities must take place:
1. Gather information from staff pertaining to their job descriptions by shadowing them for a period of time while on shift:
♣ Spend 4 hours with PSG Techs during night shift on January 9th, 2015
♣ Spend 2 hours with PSG Tech during day shift on January 14th, 2015
♣ Spend numerous hours with Unit Manager during next 4 weeks
♣ Spend 30 minutes with Clerk IV on January 21st, 2015

2. Develop brief, informal JDS for each job position at the clinic.

3. Sort JDS information in varying levels of physical exertion (ie. sedentary, mild, moderate, and severe) and determine potential hazards associated with each task.

4. Input data about potential hazards onto HIAC worksheet and assess risk potential by January 23rd, 2015

5. Reassess risk potential for workplace hazards with current controls in place

6. Recommend action to reduce any remaining risk for potential hazards by January 26th, 2015

7. Use completed HIAC worksheet to complete a one page summary of findings specific to each employee and

8. Send out summary and feedback questionnaire to assess learning, awareness and understanding by staff via email on January 28th, 2015

9. Await for feedback by February 2nd, 2015

10. Complete final evaluation

Evaluation Plan
To evaluate the success of this project I will refer back to my coach and key project coordinator throughout the process to ensure the project remains on track.
As information is gathered from staff about job descriptions, feedback will be verbally requested to ensure nothing is missed or misinterpreted.
After HIAC worksheets are half-way complete, an informal review by the coach/key project coordinator will take place in verify the project is on tract and all information is being used.
Completed product will be formally reviewed by coach/key project coordinator and a summary will be sent out to staff for final review and feedback.
Short term objective will be evaluated through staff responses to feedback questionnaire. 
Appendix A

References
Alberta Health Services (n.d.). Leading with values: 7 values. Retrieved from http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/MissionStrategicDirection/ahs-msd-values-book.pdf
Albert Health Services (2014). Workplace health and safety. Retrieved from https://extranet.ahsnet.ca/teams/policydocuments/1/clp-ahs-pol-workplace-health-safety.pdf
Alberta Queen’s Printer (2013). Occupational health and safety regulation. Retrieved from http://www.qp.alberta.ca/1266.cfm?page=2003_062.cfm&leg_type=Regs&isbncln=077971752X
Western Canadian Children’s Heart Network (2012). Edmonton. Retrieved from http://www.westernchildrensheartnetwork.ca/partner-hospitals/stollery-childrens-hospital/